Thibodaux Chamber urges local businesses to be wary of solicitors

Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 7:01 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 7:01 p.m.

The Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce and the city of Thibodaux want businesses to know the chamber was not involved with an out-of-state communications firm’s project despite what the firm implied.

Chamber President Kathy Benoit said she found out CGI Communications, a marketing and communications firm in Chicago, was soliciting local businesses for online marketing and website design services during January, implying that the chamber and the city were on board.

“It is my understanding that they had been making calls and visiting with people for a couple of weeks before I found out about it,” Benoit said. “We do not have a project going on with them right now.”

The chamber was first notified by a member calling to confirm the project because he had been contacted, as well as one of his clients who actually signed a contract with the firm.

“Our members are always notified in advance when we are going to do a project, and he knew that, so he called,” Benoit said.

The mayor’s office was the only group to have previously done business with the firm, but Ryan Perque, administrative assistant to the mayor, said that was about a year ago.

“CGI had done some videos for the city that are on our website,” Perque said. “They just recently came back in and started soliciting businesses without our permission or without notifying us.”

The mayor’s office was notified by concerned business owners, and Perque said the solicitations had been going on for a couple of weeks. But he was not sure how many businesses were contacted or signed contracts.

Chamber and mayor’s office officials spoke with a representative from the firm and have since said the solicitations have stopped.

“Even though they gave no reason for their actions, they are cooperating,” Perque said.

The company couldn’t be reached for comment.

It is not unusual for out-of-state businesses to solicit local businesses using the chamber’s name, Benoit said.

“This has happened numerous times. If we hear about it while it’s occurring, then we will take any action to stop it,” Benoit said. “It’s easy for people to think they are helping because they don’t know the difference.”

Years ago, Benoit said someone came in to the chamber office very hurriedly and dropped off a box of T-shirts with a very old chamber logo on them before someone there could help them.

“We started calling some of the sponsors on the T-shirt and found out that someone was going around implying that they were doing a promotional shirt for the chamber and promised to bring them to the chamber. They actually did bring the shirts, but the chamber had no part in it. We ended up giving the shirts to an organization in need.”

Benoit and Perque ask that business owners check out claims involving the chamber or city and obtain contact numbers and names for anyone making such solicitations.

Staff Writer Sable LeFrere can be reached at 985-857-2204 or at sable.lefrere@houmatoday.com.

<p>The Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce and the city of Thibodaux want businesses to know the chamber was not involved with an out-of-state communications firm's project despite what the firm implied.</p><p>Chamber President Kathy Benoit said she found out CGI Communications, a marketing and communications firm in Chicago, was soliciting local businesses for online marketing and website design services during January, implying that the chamber and the city were on board.</p><p>“It is my understanding that they had been making calls and visiting with people for a couple of weeks before I found out about it,” Benoit said. “We do not have a project going on with them right now.”</p><p>The chamber was first notified by a member calling to confirm the project because he had been contacted, as well as one of his clients who actually signed a contract with the firm.</p><p>“Our members are always notified in advance when we are going to do a project, and he knew that, so he called,” Benoit said. </p><p>The mayor's office was the only group to have previously done business with the firm, but Ryan Perque, administrative assistant to the mayor, said that was about a year ago.</p><p>“CGI had done some videos for the city that are on our website,” Perque said. “They just recently came back in and started soliciting businesses without our permission or without notifying us.”</p><p>The mayor's office was notified by concerned business owners, and Perque said the solicitations had been going on for a couple of weeks. But he was not sure how many businesses were contacted or signed contracts.</p><p>Chamber and mayor's office officials spoke with a representative from the firm and have since said the solicitations have stopped.</p><p>“Even though they gave no reason for their actions, they are cooperating,” Perque said.</p><p>The company couldn't be reached for comment.</p><p>It is not unusual for out-of-state businesses to solicit local businesses using the chamber's name, Benoit said. </p><p>“This has happened numerous times. If we hear about it while it's occurring, then we will take any action to stop it,” Benoit said. “It's easy for people to think they are helping because they don't know the difference.”</p><p>Years ago, Benoit said someone came in to the chamber office very hurriedly and dropped off a box of T-shirts with a very old chamber logo on them before someone there could help them.</p><p>“We started calling some of the sponsors on the T-shirt and found out that someone was going around implying that they were doing a promotional shirt for the chamber and promised to bring them to the chamber. They actually did bring the shirts, but the chamber had no part in it. We ended up giving the shirts to an organization in need.”</p><p>Benoit and Perque ask that business owners check out claims involving the chamber or city and obtain contact numbers and names for anyone making such solicitations.</p><p>Staff Writer Sable LeFrere can be reached at 985-857-2204 or at sable.lefrere@houmatoday.com.</p>